Fantasy Football: Bloggers’ top tips for managing your team

With five free transfers allocated to every Metro
Fantasy Football team this week, here are our favourite football blogs’ top tips for managing your team.

Attacking players like Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott are recommended by the football blogs (Picture: AFP/Getty)1. Caught Offside

Be a sheep. Whilst it is always good to locate the ‘next big thing’ and follow the trend of a cheap player hitting a strong patch of form, do not attempt to adhere to the theory that buying the most obvious players is pointless as everyone has them. You may well therefore on occasion find a bargain buy but when you then see that Robin Van Persie has hit another hat-trick and you have instead opted for Hugo Rodallega, you will then be made to look like a fool.

‘The fun is with the rough diamonds; the player who you take a punt on at the start of the season. Wigan sign a player from the French Second Division: sign him up; Swansea are promoted and you donât know many of the names: pick one or two players and get them in your squad.

4. Les Rosbifs ‘Firstly, have a strong spine. It sounds Alan Hansen-esque, but a strong, reliable, injury-free player in goal, defence, midfield and attack is where I spend my money first. Secondly, I avoid the teams who have had a change of manager in recent weeks or months.’

Defenders like Micah Richards are cheaper but make valuable contributions (Picture: Getty)5. The Stiles Council

John Terry, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney all continue to bring home the points, but the likes of Micah Richards and Phil Jones can be picked up more cheaply and make valuable contributions.

We believe in the âMuzzy Izzet Ruleâ when it comes to Fantasy football. Back in the 90âs Muzzy was banging them in for Martin OâNeilâs Leicester week in week out (see also Kevin Nolan at Bolton in the 00âs) gaining valuable points at bargain prices.

Penalties. That’s the key. It’s the first thing I always look for. Strikers and midfielders will always pick up a good number of points for goals scored, but there’s often a good chance that defenders are likely to appear on lists of penalty takers so keep that in mind.

Letâs face it, thereâs no rhyme or reason to playing the game. Most of us blow our imaginary millions on a couple of marquee names, imagining that they might turn out for our own low-achievers in reality.

Have a funny team name â For those who play regular fantasy football youâll realise there are some clever team names out there.Â Come up with a funny name and the people below you in the league wonât hate you so much.

Nani is a good option as he is a midfielder who plays in an attacking role (Picture: Getty)13. In the Stands

One of the joys of fantasy football is that you can afford to include Robin Van Persie, Wayne Rooney and David Silva in your team, providing you balance it out with a few bargain-bin gems. 14. Football Fairground

To get the full experience of football management it’s vital that fantasy managers indulge in mind games with their rivals as much as possible.

15. World Soccer Guide Aim to sign midfielders who can play as strikers. Goals win games, and they also garner fantasy points. Choosing players registered as midfielders, but who frequently play in their sideâs attack means you can effectively sneak more strikers into your side.

The most important tip is to make sure you have 11 players!Â Many years ago I played a fantasy football where you had to call up premium rate and Iâd miscalculated and ended up having to put in Eric Tinkler of Barnsley as my final midfielder who I think ended up on single points! So the most important tip, make sure you have the 11 players first!